Tube Worms in the Strainer?

[ss2016]

I was somewhat surprised to see tube worm shells in the strainer. The drive is a VP DPI and the engine D6 sucks rather than blows water from the DPI through the strainer so no harm done. I am surprised because I thought that tube worm fouling only occurred where there is light. Is this normally correct?
The boat is 4 years old, launched 4 times, and I have never seen this before. Do they form in the leg and then die when the boat is out of the water? Does that cause them to lose adhesion, or should I be thinking they might be building up in there? No cooling problems so far. Winterising cant have been fun for them either.

 

[SC35]

Tube worms can attach themselves in all sorts of strange places.
Unfortunately they don't taste good, however you cook them.
I wouldn't worry too much if you have good water flow - you can easily remove the black water intake strip on the leading edge of the lower leg and have a look inside.
Once past that, the plumbing is "large" - it's unlikely you'll get worm buildup inside heat exchanger tubes.

 

[Greg2]

Once past that, the plumbing is "large" - it's unlikely you'll get worm buildup inside heat exchanger tubes.

Actually, a mate has just that. Been suffering from engines running warm and also an issue with the generator. It turns out that tube worm has built up in the heat exchangers on both the engines and the genny. Never heard of that before but last year was very bad for fouling on our part of the coast.

 

[SC35]

Actually, a mate has just that. Been suffering from engines running warm and also an issue with the generator. It turns out that tube worm has built up in the heat exchangers on both the engines and the genny. Never heard of that before but last year was very bad for fouling on our part of the coast.

Errrrk!

 

[stelican]

Actually, a mate has just that. Been suffering from engines running warm and also an issue with the generator. It turns out that tube worm has built up in the heat exchangers on both the engines and the genny. Never heard of that before but last year was very bad for fouling on our part of the coast.

Common problem in Florida in generators and also AC

 

[ss2016]

Thanks for the comments.
Perhaps the reason I have not had them in the strainer previously is that there was a 6 week period when the boat was in the water and not used. That is much longer than previous seasons. I presume it takes a while for them to get stuck on and grow. The other thought is I took the boat up the Rance for a few days. Perhaps the change from salt to semi fresh water loosens them.

 

[Jerbro]

Sounds like another reason to do freshwater flushing!

 

[Greg2]

Sounds like another reason to do freshwater flushing!

Friends in our marina have set up a fresh water flush system and perhaps worth doing.

 

[ss2016]

It's an interesting idea but I'm not sure how you would organise it on the later D6 where the impeller comes after the strainer. Anyone? Easy to flush just the drive though where my worm shells must have come from.